appreciating the kindness of others Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche gratitude intense Buddhist studies the richest person in the world
Gratitude as a Source of Joy
Gratitude as a Source of Joy
We have a saying in my country: “Being grateful is [a sign of] being well-born”. I always think that there is a lot of wisdom in these traditional sayings. The importance of gratitude is unfathomable, until the point that being or not being grateful draws the line between a happy and an unhappy person or even a pleasant and an unpleasant person. Being grateful is an incredible quality that brings joy to oneself and others, since one is able to appreciate what one has and how one got it, thanks to others.
When we get to know about the interdependence of phenomena, we learn to appreciate the immense kindness of others. When acknowledging the effort, work and time invested by others so that we can enjoy a simple plate of food, for instance, we cannot but value and respect all the people who participated in the process of creating that plate, and feel extremely lucky for receiving that meal. Similarly, when studying at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, I cannot but feel extremely grateful for the generosity of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche providing a place for intense Buddhist studies so that students from all over the world could access the extensive knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings. In the same way, I feel extremely grateful to all the people who are working to make it possible. Moreover, I cannot put words to my deep appreciation towards the sponsors who are funding the studies of all those students that otherwise would not be able to access to that precious knowledge. It is thanks to all of these conditions that a student like me, coming from a place where the academic study of Buddhism is very limited, can get the chance to learn about the immense wisdom of Buddha’s teachings. Therefore, being aware of the endless causes that make this precious opportunity possible and knowing that this is a very rare opportunity, very difficult to obtain, I feel like the richest person in the world, extremely grateful and full of joy.
~ Maite from Spain